Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) after making a reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 29-24. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo By Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) and New York Giants tight end Martellus Bennett (85) leave the field after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. Witten had 18 receptions for 167 yards in their 29-24 loss to the Giants. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo By Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) is tackled by New York Giants outside linebacker Michael Boley (59) and Keith Rivers (55) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Photo By Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten tries to get pass New York Giants' Stevie Brown, (27), and Keith Rivers, (55), during the second half at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. The Giants won, 29-24.

Photo By Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) walks off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers , Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. The Cowboys won 19-14. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, left, is tackled by Baltimore Ravens free safety Ed Reed in the second half of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Gail Burton) (Associated Press)

Photo By Paul Moseley/McClatchy-Tribune News Service

With two minutes left, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) gets a much-needed first down for the Cowboys as Baltimore Ravens linebacker Dannell Ellerbe (59) forces Witten out of bounds at the 43 yard line. In NFL football action, the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Baltimore Ravens, 31-29 in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, October 14, 2012. (Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT)

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) passes to Jason Witten (82) in the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Monday, Oct. 1, 2012, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)

“I can remember my first catch like it was yesterday,” the seven-time Pro Bowl tight end told reporters Wednesday in Irving.

The 13-yard grab of a Quincy Carter pass Sept. 7, 2003, was Witten's only catch in his debut. He needs four Sunday night to bump his career total to 751 and unseat Hall of Famer Michael Irvin as the Cowboys' catch king.

True to his low-key, team-first nature, Witten doesn't like the focus being on him before such a big game. Dallas (3-4) faces Atlanta, which at 7-0 is the NFL's only undefeated team, at the Georgia Dome.

“Obviously, you know what's going on, and you really don't like talking about it until it happens because you're so focused on winning,” Witten said. “You guys know me well enough to know that winning is most important to me. But it's obviously special, because he was one of the greatest.

“So just to be mentioned with Michael Irvin is special, and, hopefully, we'll have a good discussion about it after a big win.”

Witten, 30, ranks third among tight ends in career catches (747) and also yards (8,396). Only Atlanta's Tony Gonzalez (1,195 and 13,797 yards) and Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe (815 and 10,060) are ahead of him on those charts.

Given the company Witten keeps, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the Tennessee alum already is Hall of Fame worthy.

“Oftentimes, it's about the numbers,” Garrett said. “So if you look at the numbers, to say that you're one of the one, two or three tight ends who has caught the most balls in this league, I think that's where the conversation starts for a lot of people who vote on this stuff.

“But then, if anybody has followed our team and the NFL for the last decade, you know what this guy is all about. He's a rare guy. His production speaks for itself, and the way he goes about his business is really exceptional.”

Flying home to Atlanta after the Falcons' win at Philadelphia last Sunday, Gonzalez settled back into his seat on the team charter and watched Witten go to work against the Giants.

As the plane traveled south ahead of Hurricane Sandy, Witten was well on his way to grabbing 18 passes in the 29-24 loss, a record for an NFL tight end.

“He is a pass-catching machine,” Gonzalez said. “And it doesn't surprise me he's going to set the team record. He has been able to stay healthy. He is the blanket for (Tony) Romo. He is going to hit him on those check-downs and quick routes.

“I'm also not surprised because I've gotten to know Witten and the way he prepares. We have talked about that because that's a huge part of being successful in the NFL. I don't care what position you play. The way he prepares and the type of work he puts into it, you can't be surprised when he has that type of success. He has paid the price for it.”

Witten said it's special to play against Gonzalez, who reiterated in a conference call Wednesday this likely will be his last season.

“I have a really good relationship with him,” Witten said. “When I came in the league, that was the guy, still is today, you modeled your game after. I'm a big fan. He's the greatest to ever play the position.”

Notebook: Two of the Cowboys' top three receivers missed practice Wednesday: Dez Bryant (hip) and Kevin Ogletree (hamstring). ... Tailback DeMarco Murray (foot) also sat out, which means he could miss a third straight game.